Disease or Syndrome
hidradenitis suppurativa
Subclass of:
Skin Diseases, Bacterial;
Hidradenitis;
Suppuration
Also called:
Acne inversa; Suppurative hidradenitis
Definitions related to hidradenitis suppurativa:
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(acne inversa) A chronic skin condition involving the inflammation of the apocrine sweat glands, forming pimple-like bumps known as abscesses.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
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A chronic suppurative and cicatricial disease of the apocrine glands occurring chiefly in the axillae in women and in the groin and anal regions in men. It is characterized by poral occlusion with secondary bacterial infection, evolving into abscesses which eventually rupture. As the disease becomes chronic, ulcers appear, sinus tracts enlarge, fistulas develop, and fibrosis and scarring become evident.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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A chronic, suppurative inflammation of the apocrine sweat glands, that is characterized by clusters of bumps or sores.NCIU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease. Another name for it is acne inversa. It causes painful, boil-like lumps that form under the skin. It often affects areas where the skin rubs together, such as your armpits and groin. The lumps become inflamed and painful. They often break open, causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus. As the abscesses heal, they can cause scarring of the skin. The lumps in HS form because of blockages of the hair follicles. The blocked hair follicles trap bacteria, which leads to inflammation and rupture. In most cases, the cause of the blockages is unknown. Genetics, environment, and hormonal factors may play a role. Some cases of HS are caused by changes in certain genes. HS is not caused by bad hygiene, and it cannot be spread to others. HS usually starts after puberty, usually in the teens or twenties. It is more common in: Women; People who are Black; People with a family history of HS; People who are overweight or have obesity; People who smoke. The symptoms of HS include: Small pitted areas of skin containing blackheads; Painful, red, lumps that get bigger and break open. This causes abscesses that drain fluid and pus. They may itch and have an unpleasant odor.; The abscesses heal very slowly, recur over time, and can lead to scarring and tunnels under the skin. HS can be mild, moderate, or severe: In mild HS, there are only one or a few lumps in one area of the skin. A mild case will often get worse, becoming a moderate disease.; Moderate HS includes recurrences of the lumps that get bigger and break open. The lumps form in more than one area of the body.; With severe HS, there are widespread lumps, scarring, and chronic pain that may make it hard to move. Because of the difficulty of dealing with the disease, people with HS are at risk for depression and anxiety. There is no specific test for HS. It can be hard to diagnose in the early stages because it can look like pimples or acne. To make a diagnosis, your health care provider: Will ask about your medical history and your symptoms; Will look at the lumps on your skin; May take a sample of the skin or pus (if there is any) and send it to a lab to be tested. Your provider may refer you to a dermatologist (skin doctor) to get a diagnosis or treatment. There is no cure for HS. Treatments focus on the symptoms, but they are not always effective for everyone. The treatments depend on how severe the disease is and may include: Medicines, including steroids, antibiotics, pain relievers, and medicines that flight inflammation. In mild cases, the medicines may be topical (applied to your skin). Otherwise, the medicines may be injected or taken orally (by mouth).; Procedures or surgery to remove the lumps and scars or make the sores go away. It may also help if you can avoid things that can irritate your skin, by: Wearing loose-fitting clothing; Staying at a healthy weight; Quitting smoking; Avoiding heat and humidity; Being careful not to injure your skin.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, scarring, acnelike inflammatory process that occurs in the axillae, groin, and around the nipples and anus. Diagnosis is by examination. Treatment depends on stage.Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disorder of the terminal follicular epithelium in the apocrine gland�bearing skin. Hidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by comedolike follicular occlusion, chronic relapsing inflammation, mucopurulent discharge, and progressive scarring.WebMD, 2025
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is a skin condition that causes small, painful lumps to form under the skin. The lumps can break open, or tunnels can form under the skin. The condition mostly affects areas where the skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks and breasts.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2025
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease which causes painful, boil-like lumps that form under the skin and often secrete pus and blood. HS occurs most often in areas where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. Symptoms usually begin after puberty. The first sign may be a single pocket of...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that primarily affects intertriginous areas (axilla, groin, perineum, and inframammary region). While the name and distribution imply that the disease originates in the sweat glands, the pathogenesis is likely to be around hair follicles with sweat gland involvement being...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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